Mediaset España has taken legal action against Antena 3, claiming the new ‘AlaZ’ finale in ‘Pasapalabra’ is too similar to ‘El Rosco’. The case could impact the future of both shows and their formats.
Mediaset España has initiated legal proceedings against Antena 3, targeting the recently introduced ‘AlaZ’ finale in the popular quiz show ‘Pasapalabra’. The broadcaster argues that the new segment closely mirrors the format of ‘El Rosco’, a game round whose rights are held by Mediaset through the production company MC&F;. The lawsuit, filed by MC&F;, comes just weeks after ‘AlaZ’ replaced ‘El Rosco’ on Antena 3, following a turbulent period marked by disputes over intellectual property.
According to the claim, both Mediaset and MC&F; believe that ‘AlaZ’ lacks sufficient differences from ‘El Rosco’ to be considered a distinct format. The companies reference a key court ruling—judgment 1639/2022 from November 2022, recently upheld by the Supreme Court—which established the unique elements of ‘El Rosco’. These include a head-to-head contest between two participants, the use of alphabet-based questions, a color-coded scoring system, and a limited time frame for answers. The plaintiffs argue that ‘AlaZ’ retains these core features, despite being presented as an adaptation of the Swiss game ‘DallAZetA’.
One of the main points of contention is the structure of the competition. While the original Swiss version involves a single contestant playing in isolation, the Spanish adaptation on Antena 3 continues to feature a duel between two players, echoing the format of ‘El Rosco’. The lawsuit highlights this and other similarities, such as the visual cues for correct and incorrect answers and the competitive mechanics, as evidence that the new round is not sufficiently original. Mediaset and MC&F; describe the resemblances as “insurmountable” and maintain that the changes made by Antena 3 are largely superficial.
MC&F; is leading the legal action, but Mediaset España has indicated it may support the Dutch company in defending its interests, given its rights to broadcast ‘El Rosco’ in Spain. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the future of both ‘Pasapalabra’ and the contested finale formats. The case also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Spanish broadcasters in protecting television formats and adapting international concepts for local audiences.
This legal battle follows recent changes in ‘Pasapalabra’, which have already drawn attention in the industry. As previously reported, the show’s shift to a new final round coincided with efforts to maintain audience engagement amid strong competition from major events. For more on how ‘Pasapalabra’ has navigated these challenges, see the coverage of its format changes and guest strategies in this related article.
In Spain, disputes over television formats are not uncommon, especially when successful shows are adapted or modified by rival networks. The legal framework for protecting such formats relies heavily on demonstrating originality and clear differentiation. The outcome of the Mediaset España and Antena 3 case may set a precedent for future conflicts in the Spanish media landscape, particularly as broadcasters continue to seek competitive advantages through format innovation and adaptation.
